Nanxun Ancient Town: Silk Money, French Glass and a Canal at Night
Walking Nanxun in Huzhou, Zhejiang: a water town built on silk money, with free streets, five ticketed mansions, 400 m of riverside houses and a lit canal at night.
Jiangnan Water Towns
Walking tours through the water towns of Jiaxing, Huzhou and southern Jiangsu: Wuzhen, Xitang, Nanxun, Zhouzhuang, Tongli and their stone bridges and canal-side lanes.
Yanguan: A Walled Town on the Qiantang, Best Walked in the Rain
Walking Yanguan in Haining: entry is CNY 60 for one day, single entry, or CNY 80 with the tide-watch park. Hotel guests register a face and come and go freely.
Anchang: Shaoxing’s Living Water Town, Under One Very Long Roof
A walk along Anchang ancient town in Shaoxing: 1,747 metres of covered street, seventeen stone bridges, sauce yards and the hometown of the yamen secretaries. Tickets, boats and when to come.
Shantang Street: Walking Suzhou’s 1,200-Year-Old Canal Street
A 3.7 km walk along Shantang Street in Suzhou, the canal street Bai Juyi built in 825: which sections are quiet, which are crowded, tickets, boats and where to eat.
Dongpu: A Rainy Walk Through Shaoxing’s Hidden Rice Wine Town
A rainy first-person walk through Dongpu, Shaoxing’s 1,600-year-old rice wine town: jar walls, working breweries, stone bridges, free entry and metro access.
Puyuan: China’s “Fashion Ancient Town”, Three Times the Size of Wuzhen
A first-person walk through Puyuan Fashion Ancient Town in Tongxiang, Zhejiang – new-built Jiangnan lanes, glass facades, a 900-year-old ginkgo and a night programme, with tickets, transport and tips.